GOP lawmakers move to strip Qatar of special status over Hamas ties

According to National Review, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers led by Republicans has introduced the 'Reviewing Qatar’s Major Non-NATO Ally Status Act,' a legislative move designed to downgrade the bilateral relationship due to Doha’s ties with Hamas. The report states that the bill would compel the Secretary of State to certify whether it remains in the national interest of the United States for Qatar to maintain its privileged status as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA). As reported by National Review, critics in Congress allege that Qatar has provided 'comfort and sanctuary' to senior Hamas leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh, while the group continues to hold American hostages in Gaza. The legislation claims that Qatar has failed to exert sufficient pressure on the terrorist organization to secure a hostage deal. The report highlights growing frustration in Washington over Qatar's dual role as both a U.S. security partner—hosting the Al Udeid Air Base—and a primary financial and political backer of extremist movements. Lawmakers cited in the article argue that no nation supporting a group responsible for the October 7 attacks should benefit from the financial and defense advantages associated with MNNA status. The bill specifies that unless Qatar expels all Hamas members and ends its financial support for the group, the President should be required to terminate its ally designation immediately. Qatari officials have defended their relationship with Hamas as a necessary channel for mediation, but the report notes that many U.S. officials now view this mediation as a form of 'diplomatic arson' where Qatar benefits from a crisis it helped sustain.